Amnesty International (AI) has accused Nigerian security agencies of failing to prevent attacks on opposition political activities or at least hold those perpetrating them accountable.
Amnesty International alleged this in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Thursday, condemning the attacks on the ADC campaign convoy.
It said the Nigerian authorities also failed to ensure accountability for the attacks, warning that continued violence against opposition parties could undermine democracy and create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was in reaction to the shrinking democratic space in Nigeria following attacks and intimidation of the opposition, including verbal threats by some state governors and officials of the ruling APC.
However, the Amnesty International was particularly responding to the violence that disrupted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, campaign convoy in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
It described the incident as part of a growing pattern of political repression targeting opposition parties and their supporters across the country.
The organisation said footage it analysed showed armed gangs attacking vehicles in the convoy, assaulting people with cutlasses and blocking roads during the campaign activities.
AI also alleged that the attackers targeted members of the media covering the event, pelting vehicles with stones and destroying cameras and other equipment belonging to media teams.
“What happened today is clearly a danger to the rights of opposition political parties to hold their activities freely,” the organisation stated.
Amnesty International further described the incident as a “brutal campaign of repression” against opposition parties and their supporters, warning that such attacks were making it increasingly difficult for political groups to exercise their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
The organisation linked the Kebbi incident to similar attacks on ADC campaign activities in neighbouring Sokoto State in recent days, describing both incidents as part of a troubling pattern of violence against opposition members in different parts of Nigeria.
It stressed that no individual should lose their life or face violence for participating in peaceful political activities.
On the role of security agencies, Amnesty International alleged that authorities had failed to protect opposition members during similar incidents reported in Niger, Kaduna, Edo and Enugu states.
“In all cases investigated by Amnesty International security agencies failed to do their job of preventing or stopping the attacks to protect the right to freedom of association,” the organisation stated.